Since it’s IBS awareness month, we will include a few IBS related articles over the next few weeks. Today , the basics – what is IBS , the causes and triggers.
What is IBS?
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a condition that affects the digestive system and affects 1 in 20 people in the UK. The symptoms of IBS include abdominal pain or discomfort, bloating, urgency, diarrhoea, constipation or a mixture of both. About one third of those with IBS suffer from constipation, one third suffer with diarrhoea and most other people don’t fall into a single pattern.
What causes IBS?
We tend to talk about the triggers of IBS as the causes are not exactly known.
The causes of IBS could, however, be – hypersensitivity of the intestines (or the “gut”), problems with digestion (too fast or too slow), a “gut-brain” communication problem, dysbiosis (altered gut bacteria), immune system problems or genetics.
What could trigger IBS symptoms?
There are a number of different triggers for IBS and these vary between sufferers. Some foods or eating patterns can trigger symptoms. Stress can also trigger symptoms.
Common food triggers include:
FODMAPs
Fatty Foods
Caffeine
Alcohol
Spicy Foods
Resistant starch (starch that isn’t fully broken down in the small intestine)
Stress triggers:
Stress, anxiety and depression are well known triggers of IBS symptoms. There’s a complex connection between the brain and the digestive system which is why our mood affects the gut.
Identifying and managing triggers is a crucial part of symptom management in IBS. We offer a 3 visit package for IBS sufferers and help to identify IBS triggers and reduce symptoms.
For more details email annewrightdietitian@gmail.com or call 07597900041
